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The best Christmas markets in Europe for every budget
Get into the festive spirit, overseas
What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with a good old Christmas market break in Europe?
The run-up to the festive season sees an array of best Christmas markets opening across the continent, bringing the delicious scent of candied almonds and mulled wine in the air.
Some of the best Christmas markets in Europe offer snow-filled scenes, cute chalets selling gifts, Christmas tree decorations and plenty of foodie treats. It's the perfect occasion to stock up on presents for your nearest and dearest, while soaking up the festive cheer - and sipping German beer while tucking into pretzels, bratwurst and gingerbread.
Whether you're looking for the best Christmas markets in Germany or a festive shopping experience in a cool city like Berlin or Amsterdam, these are the best Christmas markets in Europe, whatever your budget.
We've picked the most beautiful Christmas markets Europe has to offer, with our top hostel, Airbnb and hotel suggestions to help you book a stress-free winter break.
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Best Christmas markets in Europe - Prague, Czech Republic
Prague's Christmas markets are open every day from 26 November 2022 until 6 January 2023, including on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Perfect if you're planning a trip to the Czech capital over the holiday period. Each year, there's a theme for the markets, with this year's set to be announced at the end of November.
Dates: 26 November 2022 to 6 January 2023.
Book a stay at the beautiful Miss Sophie's New Town, the boutique hotel that's a 'big sister' to Sophie's Hostel, with rooms from £114.63 per night. BOOK NOW
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Toulouse, France
Held in the Place du Capitole, Toulouse's Christmas market not only offers warmer temperatures for your Christmas break, but delightful gifts and foodie treats, such as foie gras and local woodcrafts in an illuminated village.
Dates: 25 November to 25 December 2022.
Stay at a cool hotel like Mama Shelter or Boutique Hotel des Beaux Arts from £74 per night. FIND MORE HOTELS
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Vienna, Austria
One of the prettiest Christmas markets in Europe, Vienna's dates back to 1298, with the most iconic featuring 150 stalls in front of the City Hall. There are Christmas gifts, tree decorations, handicrafts and loads more on offer.
Dates: 19 November to 26 December 2022.
For a cheap Christmas market break, stay at Wombats City Hostel from £33.20 per night.
Alternatively, there are one-bed Airbnbs, like this one, for two people for £122 per night over the Christmas period.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Cologne, Germany
The west German city is home to five Christmas markets, including the most famous which is in front of the cathedral. It also features an ice rink, an LGBT market and one market overlooking the Rhine River.
Dates: 21 November to 23 December 2022, for most markets.
Check into a city centre hostel from as little as £35 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Krakow, Poland
Visitors to Krakow will want to head to the market square of the Old Town's centre where one of Europe's prettiest Christmas markets await. It's packed with food, mulled wine and craft kiosks, plus the huge Christmas tree is a must-see.
Dates: 25 November to 26 December 2022 (with some stalls continuing until 1 January 2023 for the Epiphany festival).
Airbnbs are cheap in Krakow, with an entire flat in the city's Old Town, which can sleep two guests, starting at £25 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Stockholm, Sweden
The Christmas market in the Swedish capital is held in picturesque Gamla Stan, where you'll find the most famous and traditional market in the city. Adorned with little red stalls which sell sweets, smoked sausages, mulled wine and reindeer, the market also offers Swedish handicrafts that make for perfect gifts.
Dates: 19 November - 23 December 2022 (for the main Stortorget market).
Check into the hip Generator Stockholm, a hostel you won't believe is a hostel, from £24a night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Rome, Italy
The Italian capital's Christmas market is found in the iconic Piazza Navona in the city centre. Here, you can stock up on handmade toys and traditional Italian gifts, including a broom to sweep out bad luck.
Dates: 8 December 2022 - 6 January 2023.
Stay at family-run palazzo Residenza Maritti for a traditional Italian experience, with its rooftop views over Rome's top sites and rooms from £122 per night on Booking.com.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has a handful of Christmas markets during the festive season, one of which has an ice skating ring set in front of the historic St Stephen's Basilica. Another market is just a 10-minute walk away on the Vorosmarty Square.
Dates: 18 November 2022 to 1 January 2023.
With stylish Airbnbs in the city centre that cost as little as £27 per night for an entire flat, Budapest is a great city to go self-catering.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Florence, Italy
The picturesque Italian city hosts a number of Christmas Markets, with the biggest being held in Piazza Santa Croce. Expect the traditions of German Christmas markets with an Italian twist.
Dates: 28 November to 20 December 2022.
Stay at a cosy apartment in the city centre with views of the Duomo from around £44 per night with Airbnb.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Frankfurt, Germany
A truly authentic German Christmas market is found in the financial city of Frankfurt, one of the largest in the country. Situated on the Römerberg and St Paul's Square, one section of the market is pink to welcome the LGBT community.
Dates: 21 November - 22 December 2022.
A studio Airbnb apartment for two people can cost as little as £72 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Brussels, Belgium
Set around the Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, Place Sainte-Catherine and the Marche aux Poissons, Brussels' Christmas market boasts more than 200 chalets, each selling local treats and gifts, as well as a sound and light show, festive parades and fairground attractions.
Dates: 25 November 2022 - 1 January 2023.
Stay at Le Plaza (from £237 a night in the first week of December), just a 10-minute walk away, for its French facades, high ceilings and beautiful rooms fit for breaks with friends or family.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam's Christmas markets spread over four squares in the city but for a great view of the 20-metre Christmas tree in front of the Royal Palace, check out Dam Square.
Dates: 14 to 26 December 2022 (Dam Square).
Stay at an Airbnb for a cosy stay in the city and all the freedom to explore Amsterdam's delights.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen's picturesque Tivoli Christmas Market is an institution among both locals and visitors. Set in the beautifully decorated Tivoli Gardens, the scent of candied almonds and Danish mulled wine fill the air.
Dates: 18 November to 31 December 2022.
Stay at Scandi-chic hostel Urban House Copenhagen, right in the middle of the city, from £17 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Lausanne, Switzerland
This Swiss city comes alive with festivities during the Christmas period, with the Lausanne Lumières festival and Christmas market Bo Noel. You'll find designer stalls, winegrowers and local producers and traditional Swiss fondue in the pop up igloo café.
Dates: 17 November to 31 December 2022.
Make it a luxe Christmas market break and stay at the five-star art deco Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa from £363 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Hamburg, Germany
From the cool and creative to the nostalgic and romantic, Hamburg has something for everyone. You'll find the nostalgic Rathausmarkt and Jungfernstieg, the cool and erotic Reeperbahn market and the colourful Winter Pride market. For an adults-only experience, try the X-rated Santa Pauli.
Dates: The majority of the markets open from 17 November to 30 December 2022 (closed on 20 November and 25 December).
Stay at the new five-star superior Fraser Suites from £205 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Tallinn, Estonia
This world-renowned Christmas market has been voted the best in Europe and is held in Tallinn's pretty medieval Town Hall Square. Enjoy black pudding and sour cabbage, as well as warm Christmas drinks while dancers and singers take to its stage.
Dates: 25 November 2022 to 8 January 2023.
Check into Hotel Telegraaf, a boutique hotel in the Old Town home to one of the city’s top restaurants and a relaxing spa, from £241 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Helsinki, Finland
Christmas lovers can bask in Helsinki's festive lights and head to St Thomas Market for a spot of Christmas shopping. Situated in Senate Square in the heart of the city, it's made up of 120 stalls inspired by Finnish traditions. Don't miss Glögi, a drink made from spiced wine with almonds, raisins and, whenever possible, a splash of vodka.
Dates: 1 to 22 December 2022.
Stay at the luxurious Hotel St George, with rooms from £285 per night.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Basel, Switzerland
The Basel Christmas markets can be found in two of the city's most picturesque squares: Barfüsserplatz and on Münsterplatz, with gorgeous pine trees lining the streets, making the whole thing feel extra festive.
Dates: 24 November to 23 December 2022.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Bruges, Belgium
If you don't fancy the Belgian capital of Brussels, head to the smaller, more charming Bruges - with the whole city centre transforming into one huge Christmas market. Of course, Belgian chocolate (and hot chocolate), beers and cheeses are a must.
Dates: 25 November 2022 to 8 January 2023.
Best Christmas markets in Europe - Leipzig, Germany
As an alternative to the usual German tourist hotspots, why not try the Christmas markets in Leipzig? The city offers one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Germany, with a traditional medieval market on offer too. The main markets are found in Marktplatz, while a fun ferris wheel is situated in Augustplatz.
Roshina is a contributing editor to Hearst UK. She was previously Senior Travel Editor, where she covered titles including Country Living, Red, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Good Housekeeping.
When she's not scoping out the next destinations we should explore (Uzbekistan, the Austrian Alps, Tbilisi), she loves revisiting old favourites (Mauritius, the Dolomites, Istanbul) and spending summer in the mountains - especially when hiking or wrapped in a spa robe.
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